LAGOS: South Africa under-19 Women captain Mieke van Voorst stood out with both bat and ball to lead her side to a 99-run triumph over Ghana in their opening match of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Women’s T20 International (T20I) Invitational in Lagos on Saturday.
This year’s tournament has been named the Patricia Kambarami Cup in honour of the late ICC Africa Regional Development Manager and Titans Chief Operating Officer
Van Voorst stole the show with an impressive 34-ball 55 (6 fours) alongside Siphokuhle Masilela (37) as the SA U19s posted 168/4. The spinning all-rounder then claimed unbelievable figures of three for one in her two overs to help dismiss Ghana for 69 in 19.3 overs.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat at the TBS Cricket Oval. Despite losing openers Chanel Venter (8) and Ashley Barnard (8) early in the powerplay to Kate Awuah (2/22) and Earnestina Sagoe (1/26), the junior side recovered from 24/2 through a crucial partnership between Van Voorst and Masilela.
The pair added 84 runs for the third wicket, with van Voorst bringing up her half-century as the SA U19s reached 108/2 after 14 overs.
Although the skipper was eventually dismissed by Awuah for her second wicket of the innings, Masilela combined with Rethabile Nthoba (17*) to keep South Africa’s momentum going. The pair added 22 runs before Rebecca Adotei (1/32) had Masilela caught, leaving the SA U19s on 133/4 with three overs remaining.
Nthoba was then joined by wicketkeeper-batter Jae-Leigh Filander (17*), and the duo added a further 35 runs in the closing stages to steer South Africa to 168/4 in their 20 overs.
In defence of their total, South Africa were equally impressive with the ball. Seamer Bruzaan Goosen (1/18) struck first in the second over, before a brief recovery from Awuah (12) and Rashidatu Salia (12) helped Ghana to 26/1 at the end of the powerplay.
That 23-run stand was ended by a run-out involving Van Voorst and Filander in the seventh over. Salia and Ellen Assante (1) then took Ghana to 43/2 in the 10th over before the South African bowlers sparked a collapse.
Ashleigh van Wyk (1/11), Ziya Mohanlall (2/19) and Van Voorst tore through the middle order, claiming six wickets while conceding just four runs as Ghana slumped to 47/8 in the 14th over.
Kananelo Mokoena (1/9) and Miya Lalor (1/7) wrapped up the innings late on to seal an emphatic victory for the SA U19s.
South Africa will next be in action on Sunday, 22 March, when they face Rwanda at 15:00 SAST in their second round-robin match.
SA U19 Women Squad:
Ashley Barnard (Mpumalanga), Daneli Boshoff (Boland), Jezé Campher (SWD). Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Bruzaan Goosen (Eastern Storm), Miya Lalor (Western Province), Siphokuhle Masilela (Eastern Storm), Ziya Mohanlall (KZN Coastal), Kananelo Mokoena (Eastern Storm), Shelfa Mukhari (Limpopo), Rethabile Nthoba (Free State), Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Chanel Venter (Titans), Cayleigh Wanckel (Border)
SA U19 Women’s Fixtures – NCF Women’s T20I Invitational 2026
South Africa U19 won by 99 runs
SA U19: 168/4 after 20 overs; M. van Voorst 50 (34), S. Masilela 37 (44); K. Awuah 2/22, E. Sagoe 1/26
Ghana: 69 all out after 19.3 overs; K. Awuah 12 (18), R. Salia 12 (29); M. van Voorst 3/1, Z. Mohanlall 2/19
Sunday, 22 March at 15:00
Rwanda vs South Africa U19 – TBS Cricket Oval, Lagos
Tuesday, 24 March at 11:00
South Africa U19 vs Zimbabwe U19 – TBS Cricket Oval, Lagos
Wednesday, 25 March at 11:00
Nigeria vs South Africa U19 – TBS Cricket Oval, Lagos
Friday, 27 March at 11:00
Semi-final 1 – TBS Cricket Oval, Lagos
Friday, 27 March at 15:00
Semi-final 2 – TBS Cricket Oval, Lagos
Saturday, 28 March at 11:00
Third-place Playoff – TBS Cricket Oval, Lagos
Saturday, 28 March at 15:00
Final – TBS Cricket Oval, Lagos
Source: cricket.co.za
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